122 posts tagged “location: chennai / madras”
A new film studio has been constructed at Navalur, a southern suburb of Chennai. It is named "PMR Studio.
Actor-director-producer Babu Ganesh has built the new studio with a Chettinad bungalow, a police station, court, swimming pools and a temple, to begin with. There is also one shooting floor. The studio will be let on a low rent to those who want to make small-budget films.
There are very few privately-owned studios in Chennai. They are Prasad Studio (set up by L.V Prasad), Vijaya-Vauhini Studios ( B. Nagi Reddy), AVM Studios (A.V. Meiyappa Chettiar), Sathya Studios (M.G.R), Karpagam Studio (K.R. Gopalakrishnan), A.R.S. Garden (actresses Ambika and Radha) and Simbu Garden (T. Rajendar). The MGR Film City near Tidal Park at Taramani is owned by the State Government.
The Pride Group of Hotels announced the launch of The Pride Hotel, Chennai at a press conference today. The Pride Group has its 5 star hotels in Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad.
The Pride Hotel, Chennai is first of the premium boutique hotels by the group. Located on Ponamalle high road in the heart of Chennai, it is just 30 minutes drive from the airport. A hotel, where comfort and luxury warmly embraces its discerning patrons. With unparallel sophistication and poise; it has the finest amenities, multi-cuisine restaurant and recreational facilities. Blending sophisticated urban flamboyance with a relaxed attitude, it is ideal for an enthused business trip and social events.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. S.P. Jain, Chairman of The Pride Group of Hotels said that, "The Pride Group has plans to develop hotels in 11 cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad and Cochin. Its 5th hotel is under construction in Bangalore and would be operational by the end of 2007, while the 6 th Hotel, in Goa is currently in the planning stage".
Palmetto Industries International of Augusta, GA, has recently acquired 100% of the assets of three of its suppliers in India to create Palmetto India. Today, with factories in Pondicherry and Chennai, Palmetto now has a 100% vertically integrated FIBC manufacturing facility that is said to be state-of-the-art.
Asok Kumar, director of Asian operations for Palmetto Industries, said: “The first thing that impresses our customers is the extremely clean operation and organised layout of the entire factory.” He continues, “In over 18 years in this industry, I have never previously seen any company that has a total commitment to customers, employees, the community and the environment.”
Palmetto India’s factory is also claimed to be the first FIBC production plant which is committed to becoming totally “green”. Not only does the company combine leading edge production machinery and highly efficient manufacturing procedures, but all construction materials and labour are sourced from the immediate vicinity. “Though Palmetto has had a rich history in India and has the credit of facilitating the first FIBC made in India, this factory will raise the bar for all other FIBC manufacturers” said Shankar Balan, chairman and CEO. “Today, we are one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of FIBCs, but our intent has never been to become the largest, but to be the best – and by achieving that, growth comes naturally,” continues Balan.
Globally Palmetto has risen to the forefront of FIBC manufacture and distribution, as several leading multi-national chemical manufacturers have recognised the high quality of the company’s products coupled with its exceptional service. With warehouses throughout North America and several parts of Europe and Asia, Palmetto is capable of servicing most locations within a 24-48 hour period. Innovation continues to be the driving force at Palmetto’s factories. New designs and products remain the focal point of the Palmetto Technology Center which was set up early last year in Chennai. Since Palmetto caters for the needs of customers who use more than just FIBCs, the synergies of the other products – whether they be multi-wall paper, PP/BOPP or intermodal container liners – assist in creating and sharing best practices and solutions for its customers. Every product manufactured and distributed by Palmetto goes through a rigorous quality inspection. For this reason it is not surprising that Palmetto has set itself the target of qualifying for 6 Sigma and pharmaceutical/food-grade certifications as mandatory.
Palmetto Industries International was established in 1994 and ranked as the second fastest growing company in the USA within its second year of operation. It is a 100% vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of commercial packaging products which include FIBCs, multi-wall paper bags, PP/BOPP bags and intermodal container liners. With a market presence in Asia, Europe, North and South America and Australia and with factories in India and China, Palmetto has become the preferred supplier and industrial packaging partner for many of the Fortune 500 companies.
http://www.palmetto-industries.com/
Monday, June 18, 2007
CHENNAI: In a bid to provide improved service to the growing number of passengers at the Chennai international airport, a new arrival terminal and an express courier terminal have been opened.
According to airport officials, the arrival terminal had been opened in an area of 9,500 sq metres, yesterday. The huge new arrival hall was provided with four modern slope type conveyor belts, which would help passengers to pick up their baggage without much strain. Apart from this, two escalators and an elevator were some of the other facilities added to the arrival hall.
The new arrival hall had 22 Customs counters and 20 Immigration counters for the convenience of passengers and speedy clearance of international passengers.
The courier terminal had been created in a total area of 2,200 sq metres in two floors. While the processing of consignments would be done in the ground floor, backup offices of courier companies would function in the first floor.
This is the second exclusive Express Courier Facility created by the Airports Authority of India.
Currently, about 400 courier bags were being handled through passenger terminals. As the express courier cargo traffic was increasing at the rate of 25 per cent per annum, the new facility would serve as a hub for the growing needs of express courier trade for the Southern part of the country, the officials added.
Monday , June 18, 2007
Chennai, Jun 17, 2007 Assocham will propose the formation of a ‘Singapore corridor’ in Chennai. The plan is expected to bring in about Rs 15,000-crore [about US $ 4 billion] investments to the state.
Venugopal N Dhoot, the newly-elected Assocham president, said the Singapore government has shown willingness to set up manufacturing hubs in Chennai because of the cultural alignment and port facilities. The manufacturing cost in Chennai is 15 times lesser than that of Singapore, he added.
“Singapore is considering to shift labour-intensive work to Chennai and will not be sending high-end manufacturing work,” Venugopal said.
An Assocham delegation will meet chief minister M Karunanidhi on June 22, 2007 to propose the plan. Assocham has also submitted a paper to the Centre on cost-cutting in various sectors including agriculture and infrastructure, he said.
8 Nov, 2007
CHENNAI: In a bid to double its manufacturing capacity in India, Areva T&D is establishing a high voltage manufacturing unit at Padappai near Chennai at an estimated investment of Rs 100 crore. A leading manufacturer of electrical equipment, Areva T&D is the Indian subsidiary of Areva France.
The proposed plant will be an expansion of its Perungudi plant, also near Chennai. The move comes within five months of the announcement to establish an instrument transformer factory at Hosur in Tamil Nadu.
The new facility, expected to be operational by January 2009, will manufacture high voltage circuit breakers up to 765 kV and will be fully equipped to expand this product portfolio up to 1,200 kV.
The company will be the first to manufacture gas insulated switchgear (GIS) products at its new facility at Padappai and it will also manufacture disconnectors among others.
“The move not only demonstrates our commitment to contribute to India’s significant electricity needs, but also highlights our technical competence and market consolidation plans in the high voltage product line,” the company said.
Statesman News Service
CHENNAI, Nov 7, 2007 : The Tamil Nadu government will not clear industrial parks having more than 10 per cent wetlands or double-crop land, according to the new industrial policy unveiled last night.
The policy states the applicant should have at least 250 acres in possession and the land has to be 50 km from Chennai's city limits. Private industrial parks must purchase land directly and the processing area cannot be less than 65 per cent. The policy, showcased by chief minister Mr M Karunanidhi, envisages the development of a land bank of 10,000 acres for industrial parks across the state over the next five years, to make available adequate supply of developed land for manufacturing.
The creation of two million jobs by 2011, raising the contribution to the GSDP from the manufacturing sector from 21 per cent to 27 per cent and doubling the state's annual exports to Rs 140,000 crore [about $ 30 billions] are stated to be the objectives of the policy titled "Vision 2011".
“As a measure of balanced regional development, proposals for special economic zones in industrially backward blocks will be encouraged and given priority," it says.
Announcing several incentives for the manufacturing sector, the policy states that such facilities set up in any district other than Chennai and its neighbouring districts with an investment of more than Rs 250 crore in three years would be eligible for a structured package of incentives. In case of Chennai and its neighbouring districts, the minimum investment has to be Rs 350 crore.
New manufacturing facilities or their expansion with investments in eligible fixed assets of more than Rs 1,500 crore will be treated as "super-mega projects". These will be eligible for incentives over the normal structured package of incentives. Support for the agro-processing industry would focus on increasing returns to farmers, while maximising value addition of agroproducts. Incentives for creation of agro-processing infrastructure would be provided, besides promotion of agro-processing clusters in industrial parks and SEZs.
Other major features of the policy include development of an industrial corridor of excellence in Chennai and its neighbourhood, a nanotechnology industrial park and upgradation of educational courses in consultation with industry.
Quality of infrastructure in industrial clusters would be upgraded through a cluster development action plan in collaboration with industries and government departments. Sector-level strategies for automotive, engineering, electronic, leather, textiles, chemicals, biofuel, sugar, cement and pharmaceuticals industries have also been announced.
BS Reporter / Chennai November 7, 2007
The Indian operations of Finland-based elevator company Kone Corporation is emerging as a key hub for the company's global operations and growth plans by providing software and engineering services support as well as manpower in its major markets.
The Rs 381 crore Kone Elevator India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kone Corporation, has a market share of 26% in the Indian elevator market estimated at 2,10,000 elevators in 2006. The other leading players in India are Otis, Schindler, Mitsubishi and Thyssen.
Kone set up its global software development centre in Chennai about six years ago, and the centre has been providing software support for Kone's worldwide requirements. The software centre presently employs about 50 people.
Encouraged by the success of software operations, the company also set up a global engineering centre four years ago at its factory at Vanagaram near Chennai. The 15,000 sq. ft engineering centre, which employs 80 engineers, has been providing complicated engineering drawing services for the US and European markets.
Kone India is also in the process of setting up an R&D centre, which will initially employ about 20 people at its factory to address the requirements of the Asian markets including India.
Kone India's staff is in great demand for Kone's worldwide operations. Kone Corporation will be deploying about 100 Indian staff working in the areas of installation and maintenance in the US, UK, Spain and Singapore.
"We are becoming a main centre for supplying resources to our parent company. In the past, we sent about 60 people from India to Middle East for providing support services," said A Sankarakrishnan, managing director, Kone Elevator India.
Kone's Chennai factory, spread over an area of 8.4 acre, has a capacity to produce around 6,000 elevators a year. The company delivered about 4,000 elevators in 2006. It is also a leading player in the escalator business in India with a market share of about 26 per cent. The escalator market in India is estimated at 800-1,000 units a year. It imports escalators from its China unit for sale in India.
Kone India, which employs about 2,000 people, is looking at expanding production capacity at its manufacturing unit.
Thursday November 8, 2007
In order to avoid controversies and to counter its opposition and alliance partners, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday announced the formation of a committee under the chief secretary to formulate a land policy and necessary guidelines for land acquisition. A decision to this effect was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by chief minister M Karunanidhi here.
The committee, comprising secretaries of industries, finance and revenue departments, would go into all aspects of land acquisition for setting up SEZs, industries and industrial parks and submit a draft policy, an official press release said on Wednesday.
A sub-committee of ministers, to be constituted by chief minister M Karunanidhi, would discuss the draft policy and submit recommendations to the state Cabinet for approval.
Note: Rs 1 crore = Rs 10 millions
The Cabinet also decided to go ahead with its earlier plan of metro rail project, envisaged to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis, at an estimated cost of Rs 9,757 crore. The government would seek financial assistance and loan from the Centre to implement the project. Besides, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation was also expected to fund the project, the release added.
The metro rail project would be implemented through a special purpose vehicle, 'Chennai Metro Rail Ltd,' to be jointly set up by the state government and the Centre. Based on a detailed feasibility report prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the project had been designed to comprise two corridors - one extending from Vannarapettai to Meenambakkam airport via Egmore and Teynampet and another metro line from Fort St George to St Thomas Mount via Anna Nagar, Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar and Alandur. Of the total 46.5 km stretch, about 20 km would be underground and the remaining line would be elevated, the release said.
The Cabinet also decided to call for open tenders in reviving sick Maduranthagam and Madura cooperative sugar mills.
As per a decision the state decided to giveto the Airport Authority of India 1069.99 acre land.
Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007
CHENNAI: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is building a new software management solution for British Airways to monitor cabin crew. This solution can be made commercially available for other airlines, according to Paul Coby, Chief Information Officer, British Airways.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday at the launch of the TCS Travel and Hospitality Innovation Lab 2.0, Mr. Coby said both British Airways and TCS would jointly work on the ‘leading edge cabin crew’ management solution. It was not about commodity, but working on leading edge system, he added.
The cabin crew management would help the airline monitor its 15,000 plus cabin crew, mostly based at Heathrow and Gatwick, and some in international locations such as Buenos Aires, Delhi and Bahrain.
At present, monitoring was done manually with the use of Microsoft’s Excel sheet, while the new solution would automate the entire cabin crew management, said G. Raghavan, Head, Travel and Hospitality, TCS.
Mr. Coby said that TCS helped British Airways to successfully test the security systems at the Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5, which was to be opened on March 27, 2008.
The £4.3 billion airport terminal would be exclusively used by British Airways and would handle 30 million customers a year, he said.
On Saturday, around 500 passengers were asked to do a complete checking, including check-in, security and baggage clearance. There were different vendors for different security, and TCS’s software helped in integrating all the vendors. Around 50 employees were working in London and Chennai, said Mr. Raghavan.
On the launch of the Innovation Lab, Mr. Raghavan said TCS launched its innovation lab 2.0 with a new set of solutions designed to help the airline industry identify and retain high value customers.
The earlier Innovation Lab 1.0 offered the solutions for ‘touch point,’ websites, check-in kiosks.
Now with the new solutions, airlines could launch personalised marketing programmes across channels, including mobile, create real time loyalty programme to influence customer behaviour across customer life cycle and make customer relationship management an integral part of the entire travel experience. These were not possible at present due to information available in ‘silos’, he said.
S. Ramadorai, Chief Executive Officer, TCS, said travel and transportation was emerging as a key vertical for TCS contributing 4.4 per cent of total revenue of $2.7 billion (at the end of six months of the current fiscal).
